HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Board of Appeals 2019-08-29RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Park Board of Appeals 1
August 29, 2019 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
Commission: Chair Joe Calvin, Amy Plummer, Brad Klein, Don Darling
Attending: Members Calvin, Plummer, Klein, Darling
Also Attending: Interim Chief Building Official Gary Rusu, Community Development Director
Randy Hunt, Recording Secretary Karin Swanlund
Absent: none
Chair Calvin called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Board members introduced themselves and
provided their area of expertise.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
It was moved and seconded (Darling/Plummer) to approve the agenda as presented and the motion
passed 4-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from May 9, 2019
It was moved and seconded (Plummer/Klein) to approve the minutes as presented and the motion
passed 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
PURPOSE OF MEETING
The Board of Appeals meets as needed regarding matters of the Town of Estes Park’s Division of
Building Safety. They are not a decision-making board but act as a Recommending Body to the Town
Board. They assist with the adoption of the new International Building Codes and local amendments
to those codes.
DISCUSSION ON FUTURE STAFFING OF BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Director Hunt introduced Safe Built employee Gary Rusu, who has been acting as Chief Building
Official since May. Two subjects were discussed: Process Improvements and the Safe Built Contract.
CBO Rusu spoke on the new process of using Laserfiche for online inspection requests and the 2+
hours of time per day this saves over phoning in requests. Contractors are now given two hour time
frames for inspections. Digital submittals are now being required for new plans. These are forwarded
to the Firestone office for review. This ensures that new plans are ready to be placed in an electronic
file, eliminating the need for excess papers and future scanning of backlogged files.
Vacation Home Life Saftey inspections have been slow during the summer months due to it being the
busy season. The pace will be picking up and the plan for the remainder of 2019 is to get an additional
Safe Built Inspector, 40 hours per week, to do these through augmenting the current contract. Funds
will be diverted from the vacant staffing salaries.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Park Board of Appeals 2
August 29, 2019 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
Input for moving forward in 2020 is being requested. There are two basic options: Traditional model
of hiring in-house employees, or a full-service contract with Safe Built. Permit processing software,
called Community Core, would come with the Safe Built contract, further helping to organize and
update the building department. Community Connect, a part of Community Core, is already being
used for plan review submittals. This software would be “live” and save time and frustration, making
processes more efficient. The building department needs stability, which Safe Built can provide.
Pricing for the contract is typically a percentage of building permit fees. This could require a fee
increase in the future. The Town will not approve a contract past 2020 unless there is a “dependant
on budget approval” clause. Safe Built, based in Loveland, has contracts in towns of all sizes with
Florida having the largest amount. Rotating inspectors should not be an issue. The CBO has authority
to overrule a plans examiner. A plan submittal checklist is being written for a smoother and faster
submittal process.
Making a decision requires a review of the Town Budget process with the Town Board making the final
decision.
MEMBER COMMENTS:
Darling praised the convenience of the new processes. Of his three-four inspections, the process has
been positive. Other comments: The electronic response with approval or corrections is helpful to
contractors. It is essential to have consistent people doing the inspections and plan reviews due to
the unique nature of Estes Park. Plan reviews done out of town are not customer friendly and can be
frustrating. Having someone available locally, in the office, is a benefit to contractors. These
processes and improvements are expected from a Building Department. Stability is paramount.
Decisions should not be made on a monetary basis. Maintaining the same individuals is valuable,
especially in a small town.
REPORTS:
Board Member Tony Shiaffo’s seat is open for a new member, preferably a Plumbing specialist.
The State has authorized local governments to reclaim electrical inspections.
ICC attendance is available to Board of Appeals Members in March.
There is a tentative meeting set in September for the Board to meet with the Building Contractors.
There is a study session scheduled for October 22 for practical decision making. Hearing from the
community is important
There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
___________________________________
Joe Calvin, Chair
___________________________________
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary